Have a new iPhone? How to Move to a New iPhone

By | September 24, 2016
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Did you just purchase a new iPhone as an upgrade?  If you already have an iPhone, Apple has a few options to get your new phone up and going quickly with all your pictures / texts / emails / settings and apps.    Same procedure will work for a new iPad as well.

Time Estimate: 30 minutes – 1.5 hours

What you will need

  • New iPhone / iPad
  • Old iPhone / iPad
  • USB Cable for iPhone (Preferred)
  • Computer with iTunes (Preferred)

Apple provides two options to simplify this procedure.  You can backup and restore using iCloud or you can backup and restore via iTunes on a computer.   There are pro’s and con’s to each.  The preferred approach is Option 2.   Follow the two guides below for whichever option you choose.

Step 1: Backup an iPhone to iCloud or iTunes

Step 2: Restore an iPhone from iCloud or iTunes Backup

Option 1: Setup New Phone via iCloud Backup

Pro: Easiest solution, does not require a computer to complete
Con: Need to have enough iCloud storage available for a full backup, will not migrate health data or passwords.  You will lose health data (Apple Watch, fitness tracking, emergency id) and will be prompted for all passwords for accounts (Email Accounts) once your phone restore is complete.

Notes: Keep your phone plugged in and on wifi during the backup and restore process.  If your new device already has “Find My iPhone” enabled, you will need to disable this before resetting it.  See this article

Option 2: Setup New iPhone via iTunes Computer Backup (Preferred Approach)

Pro: Most complete backup, Faster restore time
Con: Need to use a computer with latest version of iTunes.

Notes: To update iTunes, follow this guide here.   Be sure to select “Encrypted” backup and remember the password you use.  This is the only way your passwords, health data and wifi settings will be saved.

Supporting Articles

How to disable Find my iPhone – https://support.apple.com/kb/ph2702?locale=en_US

How to Update iTunes – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201352

Backup an iPhone to iCloud or iTunes – https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht203977

Restore an iPhone from iCloud Backup –  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204184 

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Matt Caminiti
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